Swisher wants to see more done for military members

CHICAGO -- Nick Swisher has a special connection to Memorial Day. His grandfather served in the United States Military during the Korean War, and he has done a lot of charitable work with veterans and has visited troops in Afghanistan.

Swisher just wishes members of the military got this sort of recognition year-round.

"Well, it's for everybody, not just my family, that's the point," Swisher said. "It's that those men and women are fighting to give us what we have here and they need to be put there. They need to be put up at the top and given the recognition they deserve. And for me, I believe in that stuff.

"Obviously, there's a lot of attention around Memorial Day weekend for our veterans and military service men and women, but I think that should be mentioned all the time, man. These men and women are the true heroes."

As for Swisher's season, he seems to be turning the corner at the plate. Entering play Monday, he was hitting just .209, but he has six hits in his last 19 at-bats, a .316 average.

"I feel great, man," Swisher said. "Sometimes you kind of have bad starts. I mean, this is what, my 11th season? So hey, just gotta keep grinding. I've got my work cut out for me from here on through the second half and I'm ready for that challenge."

"Again, guys that are good, with track records, as long as they stay healthy, they're going to get to their level," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "They always do, and you just hope that when they do, there's some production that comes with it. He's too good a hitter to stay there, where he's been."